Accounting Resume Writing Tips

Each resume should represent the individual while also presenting the information in an industry-appropriate way. For your resume, make sure your resume is perfect before approaching future accounting and finance positions.

FormatWhen putting together your resume for an accounting or finance position it is important to keep in mind that professionalism is key. Employers want to glance at your resume and not only get a sense for your organizational skills but also be able to pick up on your attention to detail. For this reason, it is usually best to use a conservative, traditional format and design for your resume.If you have prior experience, you should choose the reverse chronological approach to organizing your information as this is the most common and most expected format. Additionally, it is best to keep your professional experience to the most recent 10 years as this will give employers a good idea of your current capabilities without overwhelming them with too much information. It is fine to list earlier positions for reference sake at the end if needed.Profile or ObjectiveThe biggest mistake people make is not clearly stating what your intentions are at the beginning of the resume. By creating a professional resume profile or objective, hiring managers can scan information instead of hunting through your history to try and guess what you are applying for. Instead, state at the top what your professional career goal is, such as Accounting Professional, Finance Manager, Accounts Payable Assistant, etc. This gives overall direction to the reader and your experience is then proof of your capabilities rather than information an employer needs to sift through.Another thing to keep in mind when writing your profile is state your strongest skills and accomplishments as things that you bring to the table. Entry-level objectives usually only focus on what the applicant wants out the job. But by showing an employer what you have done in the past and what you are capable of, you show them that you are different from others and are looking to contribute to their success.Check out our other articles including resume objective examples so that your new resume stands out from the crowd!EducationTraditionally in resume writing, any education or specific training in accounting or finance has been listed on the first page. This is not a rule, however, so if you do not have a degree specifically in your targeted field then I would keep the education at the end on the second page. If you do have advanced degrees or training, definitely keep this on the first page as employers consider credentials highly.DesignThe general design of your resume can vary but stick to something that is clean, well organized, has ample white space, and is not cluttered. Do not use creative fonts or color but rather stick to simple and traditional black and white typefaces so that you can best convey your professionalism.Subscribe to our mailing list and receive updates on new articles and helpful advice to make sure your professional resume and cover letter stands out from the crowd!